The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1887-02-10

who stole an overcoat, handkerchief and shirt
in the spring Of 1877. He took his wife and fed
from the town with his loot, but was pursued,
brought back and tried. Samuel Smith was
made Judge for the occasion, q jury of twelve
was impaneled, attorneys for the defense and
prosecution appointed, and oil the forms of law
complied with. The jury found Brannon guilty and
the judge sentenced him to receive ten lashes
on the bare back, or to sit on his pony and have
his wife lead 1t to every house In the village pro-
claiming as she walked: ''This Is Brannon, who
stole the great-coat handkerchief and shirt ~
Penitentiary, was order to see that the sentence
was properly executed. Brannon shrauk from
the lash, and was accordingly proclaimed thief
ut every door by his own wife.
Nearly all Of the first settlers were members
or adhorents Of the Presbyterian Church. In
the fall Of 17W large log Westinghouse was
erected near the old graveyard, and Rev. Will
liam Speer, clergyman from Pennsylvania,
conducted its services. The sleepers were used
~ seats for the congregation and split log
served as pulpit.
In 1913, after the families Of Colonel Worth
ington and Dr.. Tifnn had arrived, tho frst mar
risge ceremony in tho scioto Valley was per
formed. The brides name was Elizabeth Coch-
ran and her husband was George Kilgore. Tho
horses Of the wedding guests were tied 70 trees
In the street, which were not yet cleared, the
whole town being In the wilderness.
DR.. Tifan and his wife were the first Metho-
dists that lived in the Scioto Valley.
In 1900 the seat Of Territorial Government
was removed, by act of Congress, from Cincin-
natl to Chillic0the. The sessions Of the Terri
torial Legislature in that year and in 1901 were
probably held in . small two-story house Of
hewed logs, which stood on the corner Of Sec-
ond and Walnut streets, and was built In 1893
By Bayil Abrams. There was . wing to the
main building, extending along Walnut street,
toward the river. This wing was two stories in
height In tho lower room Thomas Gibson, the
Auditor Of the Territory had his ONCE, and the
second story was occupied by . family. The
second story Of the main building is supposed
to have been lounging place for members of
the Legislature, and there arc . good many
stories about the gambling and drinking that
took place in II. Tho lower room OF the main
building was used by the Legislature.
In the first year Of this century work on the
first Capitol Of Ohio was commenced, and the
structure was such modest one that 1t was
hnished In the following year. Tho masonry
work was done by Major William Rutledge, Q
soldier Of the Revolution, and the wood
work By William Gutherie. The Territorial
Legislature hold it, session In this State for the
nrst time in 1901. Tho Constitutional Conven.
tion met in 1t ON tho hrst Monday Of Novem-
Der, 1602. In April Of the following year the
first General Assembly of Ohio met in the
State House at Chillicothe, and the sessions Of
the succeeding Legislatures were held there
until 1910. In 1910, 1911. 1919 the General
Assembly convened ct zsnesyille, hut Chilli
cOthe was again made the place Of meeting,
and 1t continued to be the Capital until 1915,
when Columbus became the seat of Govern
mont for Ohio. After the Capital was taken to
Columbus the State House was used for hold
ing Courts till 1t was torn down, In 1859. The
last speech made In It was Ut Q ratification
meeting after the nomination Of Scott. The
speaker was Colonel Gilmore.
Colonel John Mcdonald was one Of the most
interesting and useful men that ever lived in the
Scioto Valley. He was modest and did not ad-
vance his own claims TO distinction. but he has
left more work that Is accessible and valuable to
historians than most OF his contemporaries.
John Mcdonald was descended from two sturdy
families Of the Scotch Highlands, but ives him
self born In Northumberland County, Pa, on
the sSth Of january, 177S. His father lived for .
while on the site Of 6teubenvile. Like all young
men of that time and condition John Mcdonald
grew up without early advantages, but he was
an expert hunter and Indian fighter. He par
ticipated In several Indian battles, and in the
spring Of 17o0 joined General Nassie's settle
ment at Manchester. He was boatman, hun
ter and surveyor, and took an active, important
part in all Of the expeditions leading to the set
became attached TO Massie. When the days Of
Indian fighting had passed and calmer times
came Mcdonald settled on . farm on Poplar
Ridgs. end lived there tn he died, September
II, 1859.
In the war Of 1873 h>xa. psymaster Genera,
And = ledpanfal epartgrnpoeeer, sadtn lsl<laS
0.m@Ddse S1binpI1 g Detsnlt y MI
- vas . upnbefee ~ eeooe sene1A sa1ha
other ofAcss. McDonaid's Important work Was
80 - - - =.